Return ( 2011 )

Return (2011): A Study of Reintegration and Silent Suffering

The 2011 film Return, directed by Liza Johnson, is a poignant and understated drama exploring the difficult reintegration of a female soldier, Kelli, played with quiet intensity by Linda Cardellini, into her rural American hometown after a tour of duty in the military. Eschewing the high-octane action and explosive trauma often associated with war films, Return instead focuses on the subtle, insidious challenges Kelli faces as she struggles to reconnect with her family, find purpose in civilian life, and grapple with the psychological scars of her experiences. The film's strength lies in its realism, its nuanced portrayal of Kelli's internal struggles, and its unflinching depiction of the societal indifference and lack of resources available to returning veterans, particularly women.

Synopsis and Plot Overview

Kelli returns home to her husband, Mike (Michael Shannon), and their two young daughters after serving in the military, seemingly in a support role rather than combat. She arrives with the expectation of resuming her life as it was before she left. However, she quickly discovers that things have changed. Mike has become accustomed to managing the household and caring for the children on his own. The children, especially her youngest daughter, have difficulty remembering her and adjusting to her presence. Kelli finds herself adrift, struggling to find a place in her own home and community.

She takes a job at a factory, finding the repetitive and unfulfilling work deeply unsatisfying. She attempts to reconnect with her old friends, but their lives seem to have moved on without her, and she feels increasingly isolated. Kelli struggles with insomnia, nightmares, and a growing sense of disconnect from her surroundings. She begins to drink heavily, further exacerbating her problems and straining her relationship with Mike. She feels alienated and unable to articulate the feelings and experiences that haunt her. She seeks medical help for the symptoms, but faces a system that struggles to understand or address the underlying trauma. The film follows Kelli's descent into a spiral of self-destructive behavior as she desperately seeks a way to reclaim her life and find meaning after her military service. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, offering no easy answers or resolutions, but highlighting the ongoing struggle that many veterans face long after their return home.

Character Analysis

Kelli (Linda Cardellini)

Kelli is the central figure of the film, and Linda Cardellini delivers a masterful performance that captures the quiet desperation and internal turmoil of a woman struggling to readjust to civilian life. Kelli is not a stereotypical war hero, but rather an ordinary woman who served her country and now finds herself lost and alone. Her character is marked by a profound sense of displacement and a growing awareness that the life she left behind is no longer accessible. She is intelligent and resourceful, but overwhelmed by the subtle challenges of reintegration. Cardellini portrays Kelli's vulnerability and resilience with remarkable sensitivity, avoiding sentimentalism and instead focusing on the raw emotional truth of her situation. Kelli's struggle isn't necessarily rooted in a singular, easily identifiable traumatic event, but rather from the accumulation of experiences, the disconnect from her family, and the societal lack of understanding. Her drinking is a coping mechanism, a desperate attempt to numb the pain and silence the anxieties that plague her.

Mike (Michael Shannon)

Mike, Kelli's husband, is portrayed with characteristic realism by Michael Shannon. He is a hardworking, well-intentioned man who loves his wife and children, but he is also limited in his ability to understand Kelli's experiences and the challenges she faces. He struggles to balance his desire to support her with his own needs and anxieties. He has taken on the role of head of the household during her deployment, and finds it difficult to relinquish control. Mike represents the typical civilian's limited understanding of the veteran experience. He offers practical solutions and tries to be supportive, but he lacks the empathy and insight necessary to truly connect with Kelli's emotional state. His frustration grows as Kelli's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, leading to tension and conflict within their marriage.

The Children

Kelli's daughters represent the most tangible reminder of what she has missed during her deployment. Her youngest daughter barely remembers her, creating a painful barrier to reconnection. The children's presence highlights the sacrifices Kelli made by serving, and the challenges of reintegrating into a family dynamic that has shifted in her absence.

Themes and Motifs

Return explores several important themes related to war, trauma, and societal responsibility. Key themes include:

• Reintegration Challenges: The film's central theme is the difficulty veterans face when returning to civilian life. It highlights the lack of support systems and the societal indifference that can exacerbate their struggles.
• Post-Traumatic Stress: While the film doesn't explicitly label Kelli's condition as PTSD, it clearly depicts the symptoms associated with it, including insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, and emotional detachment. The film shows how PTSD can manifest in subtle and insidious ways, even in individuals who did not experience direct combat.
• The Invisible Wounds of War: Return emphasizes the psychological and emotional toll of war, which are often invisible to the outside world. It challenges the common perception of veterans as either heroes or broken individuals, and instead presents a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of their experiences.
• Family Dynamics: The film explores the impact of military service on family relationships, highlighting the challenges of readjustment and the strain that it can place on marriages and parent-child bonds.
• Societal Indifference: Return critiques the societal indifference towards veterans, particularly women. It exposes the lack of adequate resources and support systems available to help them reintegrate into civilian life.
• The Female Veteran Experience: The film uniquely focuses on the specific challenges faced by female veterans, who are often overlooked in discussions about war and trauma. Kelli's experience highlights the societal expectations placed on women and the difficulties they face in navigating both military culture and civilian life.

Motifs in the film include:

• Alcohol: Represents Kelli's coping mechanism and escape from reality, highlighting her internal struggles.
• The Factory: Symbolizes the monotony and lack of fulfillment Kelli experiences in civilian life, contrasting sharply with the purpose and structure she found in the military.
• Sleep/Insomnia: Reflects Kelli's anxiety and inability to find peace after returning from service. The disrupted sleep is a physical manifestation of her psychological distress.
• Silence: Embodies the unspoken trauma and the difficulty Kelli has in articulating her experiences. The silence also represents the broader societal inability to understand and address the needs of returning veterans.

Cinematography and Style

The film's cinematography, by Yaron Orbach, is characterized by its naturalistic style and muted color palette. The visuals mirror the bleakness and quiet despair of Kelli's internal state. The camera often lingers on Kelli's face, capturing her subtle expressions and conveying her emotional turmoil without relying on explicit dialogue. The pacing is deliberate and unhurried, allowing the audience to fully absorb the atmosphere of the film and empathize with Kelli's struggles. The use of long takes and static shots creates a sense of realism and intimacy, drawing the viewer into Kelli's world.

Critical Reception and Awards

Return received positive reviews from critics, who praised its realistic portrayal of veteran reintegration and Linda Cardellini's powerful performance. The film was nominated for several awards, including:

Critics particularly lauded the film's nuanced approach to the subject matter, avoiding sensationalism and instead focusing on the everyday struggles of a returning veteran. The film was recognized for its authenticity and its ability to shed light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by female veterans.

Historical and Social Context

Return was released during a period of heightened awareness of the challenges faced by veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The film contributes to a broader national conversation about the need for better support systems and resources for veterans. It also addresses the specific challenges faced by female veterans, who are often marginalized in discussions about military service and trauma. The film's themes resonate with ongoing debates about the role of the military in society, the cost of war, and the responsibility of the government to care for those who have served their country.

Impact and Legacy

Return has had a significant impact on the portrayal of veterans in film. It challenged the conventional narratives of war and trauma, offering a more realistic and nuanced depiction of the challenges faced by returning service members. The film's focus on the female veteran experience was particularly groundbreaking, shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles of women in the military. Return has served as a valuable tool for raising awareness about the needs of veterans and advocating for better support systems. The film continues to be screened at film festivals and community events, sparking important conversations about war, trauma, and societal responsibility.

Comparison to Other Films About Veterans

While numerous films have explored the experiences of veterans, Return stands out for its unique focus and approach. Unlike films that focus on combat or dramatic acts of heroism, Return examines the quieter, more insidious challenges of reintegration. Here is a brief comparison to other notable films about veterans:

Return distinguishes itself by its intimate portrayal of Kelli's internal struggles, its nuanced depiction of the challenges faced by female veterans, and its unwavering focus on the often-overlooked aspects of reintegration. Unlike films that glamorize war or focus on heroic acts, Return offers a more grounded and empathetic perspective on the human cost of military service.

Conclusion

Return is a powerful and moving film that offers a valuable contribution to the discourse on war, trauma, and societal responsibility. Liza Johnson's direction and Linda Cardellini's performance combine to create a compelling and realistic portrayal of a female veteran's struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. The film's understated style and nuanced approach allow it to resonate deeply with audiences, prompting reflection on the challenges faced by returning service members and the importance of providing them with adequate support and understanding. Return is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, reminding us of the human cost of war and the enduring need to care for those who have served our country.